The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda vowed on Saturday to fight price hikes and boost cooperation with Asian countries, as he attempted to breathe new life into his government after a cabinet reshuffle. Fukuda called the first meeting of his new cabinet members after they were sworn in by Emperor Akihito at the imperial palace, government officials said.

"I will firmly take emergency measures for people who are seriously affected by abnormal oil prices," Fukuda said in a statement.

"I will also carry out flexible economic management by closely watching prices of commodities," he said.

Fukuda named a new cabinet filled with heavyweights on Friday, vowing to jump-start a lacklustre economy in a last-ditch bid to revive waning public support. The popularity of the 72-year-old centrist has plunged since he took over last September as voters have been left feeling worse off than a year ago because of rising global oil and food prices.

Public support increased only slightly as a result of the cabinet shake-up, rising to 31.5 percent from 26.8 percent in a July survey, a poll conducted by Kyodo News on Friday and Saturday showed.

"I will carry out people-oriented reforms by tackling pending issues one by one," Fukuda said. "I sincerely hope that people will give us understanding and cooperation."